Does Amex Transfer Points to Delta SkyMiles?

American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Delta SkyMiles. This allows travelers to use their points for Delta flights.

Amex Membership Rewards and Delta SkyMiles Basics

American Express Membership Rewards (MR) is a flexible points program allowing cardholders to earn points on purchases and redeem them in multiple ways, including transfers to airline and hotel loyalty programs. Many American Express cards earn Membership Rewards, including The Platinum Card and American Express Gold Card. Not all American Express cards participate in the Membership Rewards program.

Delta SkyMiles is the loyalty program for Delta Air Lines. It enables members to redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits with Delta and its SkyTeam alliance partners.

How to Transfer Points to SkyMiles

Transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to your Delta SkyMiles account is initiated through the American Express online portal. First, ensure you have an active Delta SkyMiles account; one can be created on Delta’s website if needed. Once logged into your American Express Membership Rewards account, navigate to the “Rewards” tab and select the “Transfer Points” option.

From the list of available transfer partners, choose “Delta SkyMiles.” You will then be prompted to link your Delta SkyMiles account to your Membership Rewards profile by entering your SkyMiles account number. The name on your SkyMiles account must precisely match the name on your Membership Rewards account for the link to be successful. After providing your security code, your accounts should be confirmed as linked.

You can then specify the number of points you wish to transfer. Membership Rewards points typically transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 Amex points convert to 1,000 SkyMiles. Transfers generally must be made in increments of 1,000 points, with a common minimum transfer amount of 1,000 points. While American Express may state that transfers can take up to 48 hours, many transfers to Delta SkyMiles are often processed instantly. A federal excise tax offset fee is applied to transfers to U.S. airline programs, including Delta SkyMiles; this fee is approximately $0.0006 per point, or 60 cents for every 1,000 points transferred, with a maximum fee of $99.

Maximizing Transfers and Other Redemption Paths

To gain the most value from transferring Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles, strategic considerations are important. Occasionally, American Express offers limited-time transfer bonuses to Delta, which can increase the transfer ratio (for example, a 20% or 30% bonus). These bonuses can significantly enhance the value of your points, though they are not consistently available for Delta. It is also advisable to check award availability on Delta’s website before initiating a transfer, as point transfers are generally irreversible once completed. Delta SkyMiles operates on a dynamic pricing model, meaning the number of miles required for a flight can fluctuate based on demand, route, and time of year, similar to cash ticket prices.

Beyond direct transfers, American Express offers alternative methods for using Membership Rewards points for Delta flights. One option is to book flights directly through the American Express Travel Portal using your points. When redeeming points this way, they typically hold a value of 1 cent per point for flights. This method provides flexibility, allowing you to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both.

For eligible cardholders, particularly those with The Business Platinum Card from American Express, there is a “Pay with Points” rebate feature. This benefit offers a percentage of points back, such as a 35% rebate, when booking flights through the Amex Travel portal. This rebate applies to business or first-class flights on any airline, or to economy flights on a pre-selected airline, potentially increasing the effective value of your points to around 1.54 cents each. The rebate is typically applied to your account within several weeks after the booking, and there may be an annual cap on the total points rebated.